Federal Programs

About Us

State Tribal Education Partnership (STEP)

To (a) promote increased collaboration between Tribal Educational Agencies (TEAs) and State educational agencies (SEAs) in the administration of the Elementary and Secondary Act (ESEA) State-administered formula grant programs; and (b) build the capacity of TEAs to (1) perform certain State-level functions

under those programs for schools located on reservations, and thereby increase TEAs" role in the education of American Indian/Alaska Native (AI/AN) students, including education to meet their unique educational and cultural needs, and (2) improve the achievement of AI/AN children.

Agency - Department of Education

The Department of Education ensures equal access to education and promotes educational excellence through coordination, management and accountability in Federal education programs. The Department works to supplement and complement educational efforts on all levels, encouraging increased involvement by the public, parents and students.

Funds will be used for the implementation of collaborative agreements, entered into by TEAs and SEAs under which the TEAs perform certain State-level functions under State-administered ESEA formula grant programs for schools located on reservations.

Eligible entities include a TEA in partnership with an SEA or a consortium of TEAs in partnership with an SEA.

A TEA consortium application must comply with the Department"s regulations governing group applications in 34 CFR 75.127-75.129, and must include a signed consortium agreement that identifies each member of the consortium, binds each member of the group to every statement and assurance made by the applicant in the application, and details the activities that each member of the group will perform under the grant.

Letters of support from proposed consortium members do not meet the requirement for a consortium agreement.

Beneficiary Eligibility

TEAs and SEAs, Indian students and teachers will benefit.

Credentials/Documentation

To be eligible for an award, an applicant must include evidence that supports the applicant"s eligibility including: (a). a copy of a written signed Preliminary Agreement between the TEA(s) and the SEA; (b) certification by the eligible Indian Tribe that the applicant TEA meets the definition of a TEA; (c) certification by the eligible Indian Tribe that the tribe has land that meets the definition of Indian Reservation and specifies the census designation under which it qualifies; and (d) confirmation by the SEA that the schools participating in the project are public schools operating on the Indian Reservation. OMB Circular No. A-87 applies to this program.

Aplication and Award Process

Preapplication Coordination

Potential applicants are strongly encouraged to notify the Department of the applicant"s intent to apply for funding by sending the following information via email to STEP@ed.gov; (1) applicant name, mailing address and phone number; (2) contact person"s name and email address; (3) name of the SEA; (4) whether the applicant intends to apply as a single TEA or a consortium of TEAs.

For more information, see the STEP website: http://www2.ed.gov/programs/step/index.html.

Frequently Asked Questions about the program may be found at http://www2.ed.gov/programs/step/index.html.

Environmental impact information is not required for this program.

This program is excluded from coverage under E.O.

12372.

Application Procedures

This program is excluded from coverage under OMB Circular No. A-102. This program is excluded from coverage under OMB Circular No. A-110. Applications must be prepared and submitted in accordance with applicable program announcements.

Award Procedures

Applications will undergo peer review with the final decision on award approval and funding made by the Secretary.

Deadlines

Aug 09, 2012

Authorization

ESEA, Title VII, Part A, Subpart 3.

Range of Approval/Disapproval Time

The time of approval is expected to be approximately 2 months following the deadline for applications.

Appeals

Not Applicable.

Renewals

Not Applicable.

Assistance Considerations

Formula and Matching Requirements

Statutory formulas are not applicable to this program. This program has no matching requirements. This program does not have MOE requirements.

Length and Time Phasing of Assistance

Awards may be made for up to 3 years subject to satisfactory performance and the availability of funds. Method of awarding/releasing assistance: by letter of credit.

Post Assistance Requirements

Reports

Reporting requirements will be included in the grant award document.

Cash reports are not applicable.

Progress reports are not applicable.

Expenditure reports are not applicable.

Performance monitoring is not applicable.

Audits

In accordance with the provisions of OMB Circular No. A-133 (Revised, June 27, 2003), &quot;Audits of States, Local Governments, and Non-Profit Organizations,&quot; nonfederal entities that expend financial assistance of $500,000 or more in Federal awards will have a single or a program-specific audit conducted for that year. Nonfederal entities that expend less than $500,000 a year in Federal awards are exempt from Federal audit requirements for that year, except as noted in Circular No. A-133. Specific audit requirements are found in Part 80 of EDGAR.